‘Mackay boy’ McKenzie tapped for Meteorettes’ NBL1 top job

He led the group on an unbeaten CQ Cup campaign, now this familiar face is ready to go again on a bigger stage in 2021

THE Mackay Meteorettes have their man - and they didn't have to look very far.

More than a decade after he last took the reins of Mackay's state league set-up, Scott McKenzie will return in 2021 to coach the Meteorettes in the inaugural NBL1 North season.

Mackay Basketball confirmed the appointment this morning.

McKenzie served as Meteorettes coach in the QBL in 2008-09, taking on the assistant coach role in 2010 before moving to Brisbane to continue his coaching stint at the South West Metro Pirates and various Brisbane Basketball associations.

Switched-on basketball fans will know McKenzie was the man to lead the Meteorettes on an unbeaten championship-winning CQ Cup run, which ended last month in an 88-67 grand final win over the Rockhampton Cyclones.

Scott Mckenzie (middle, crouched) has been appointed the Mackay Meteorettes 2021 NBL1 North coach after leading the team on an unbeaten ConocoPhillips CQ Cup campaign. Photo: Trudi Jensen

But the 53-year-old former Meteors QBL player maintains he was never a shoe-in to land the top job for next year's breakout season, despite the CQ Cup success.

"Some might think it was locked and loaded, but it was made very clear to me when I took on the CQ Cup (job) that it wasn't," McKenzie said.

"But I made it clear that this was the role I wanted to do.

"I actually wasn't confident. I just hoped the results would speak for themselves.

"I have my way and vision for how I see the program and obviously the NBL1 committee and executive had to agree with that."

Scott Mckenzie has been appointed the Mackay Meteorettes 2021 NBL1 North coach after leading the team on an unbeaten ConocoPhillips CQ Cup campaign. Photo: Trudi Jensen

 

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McKenzie said he and Mackay Basketball NBL1 North general manager Joel Khalu were previously in preliminary talks about the Meteorettes' top job for the 2020 season.

But due to work commitments McKenzie's name was never called - regardless, the NBL1 North season never went ahead due to COVID-19.

Instead the stars aligned to bring McKenzie home in time to take charge for the CQ Cup campaign and with it, a chance at a "perfect pre-season" before the showpiece season in 2021.

"I looked at the CQ Cup as a chance to get to know the players before I took over. It was one of the driving factors for me," he said

Life in the Meteorettes' red and black fit nicely with McKenzie and he quickly felt at home once again.

"I'm a Mackay boy. I played for Mackay in their very first state league side," he said.

"I've always had a soft spot for Mackay and it's a pleasure and privilege to come back and put something back into the club that gave me a lot when I was a young fella."

Mackay basketball legend and Australian Opals coach Sandy Brondello is in north Queensland this month to catch the end of the WNBL season and be with family for Christmas.

She congratulated McKenzie, who came through the Mackay Basketball program at a similar time to her, on his appointment.

"I'm very happy for Scott - he's done well," Brondello said.

"You have to reward people that have had success and even though it was a bit of a different season this year (he did well)."

The NBL1 North season is scheduled to tip-off in May next year.

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